Spare a thought for those tormented souls still recovering from the trauma they’ve recently experienced.
Presumably they’ve barely caught their breath after hyperventilating while LGBTQ+ flags were raised at public facilities throughout the city, the county and—gasp—the country in recognition of June as Gay Pride Month.
For those still residing in the black and white world of Mayfield, America home of Ward, June, Wallace and Theodore “Beaver” Cleaver and unfamiliar with the banner, the LGBTQ+ flag is generally a rainbow colored piece of cloth designed to represent a wide array of people whose sexuality can be as diverse as the universe’s electromagnetic spectrum. Its display is intended to demonstrate solidarity and acceptance of that long maligned and harassed community.
In other words it’s a nod to friends, relatives, coworkers, neighbors and community leaders that they are welcome.
No sooner did this public display of acceptance settle down than schools and government agencies were once again behaving radically by deciding they would raise Juneteenth flags on public grounds.
The red, white and blue flag has a much different appearance than the country’s stars and stripes, with red and blue fields and a white star burst in the center. The flag represents the complete end of slavery in the United States, June 19, 1865.
It’s a symbol of the day when all Black people living as slaves in America were, in theory, accepted as people in this country rather than beasts of burden.
It’s been less than a handful of years that Juneteenth, June 19, has been recognized as a federal holiday and celebrated in local municipalities and agencies.
The Sweetwater Union High School District and Southwestern College this week had public flag raising ceremonies celebrating the day and its meaning. Undoubtedly there will be parties and parades in public and private settings.
Meanwhile, the people who are stuck in the past, who believe there is no call for public demonstrations of diversity and acceptance will have to keep their eyes cast downward if they don’t want to bear witness that slowly this country and our communities are making progress.
